"The reason we obey"
Children's Activity
Object:
Teachers or Parents: Again this Sunday we are given the
opportunity to stress the importance of obedience to our children.
This Sunday, we want to emphasize again that we do not obey God
because we are afraid of the consequences, but because we love
him. Jesus says in verse 15, "If you love me, you will keep my
commandments." We should make sure that our children understand
that we obey God because we love him and not because we fear the
consequences.
*Tell the children that you are going to give each of them a
command and that you want them to do just what you tell them to
do. Then give each one an order to do something in the room where
you meet. Give them assignments like "sit in the corner," "clap
your hands," "sing a song," "wave your arms in the air," and so
forth. Make sure each child is told to do something.
After they have done this for a while, have them reassemble
and ask them to tell you why they did what you told them to do.
Obviously, you are looking for answers that show that they did
what you told them to do because they respect you and want to
please you. You want to emphasize that they did not do it out of
fear. Nobody believed they would be punished if they didn't do it.
Read the words of Jesus in the Gospel: "If you love me, you
will keep my commandments." Be sure they get the message that we
obey God because we love him and he loves us.
Sunday school assembly opening:
*Post the Ten Commandments or have them written on the
blackboard. Explain to them that these are the commands that God
has given to us. Ask them why they obey these commands. If they
don't come up with an answer that shows they obey them because
they love God, take a specific commandment, such as the second,
and ask them what will happen if we use God's name in vain. Will
God strike us dead? Will our teeth fall out? Lead them to see that
we obey because we love God and we know his rules are good for us.
opportunity to stress the importance of obedience to our children.
This Sunday, we want to emphasize again that we do not obey God
because we are afraid of the consequences, but because we love
him. Jesus says in verse 15, "If you love me, you will keep my
commandments." We should make sure that our children understand
that we obey God because we love him and not because we fear the
consequences.
*Tell the children that you are going to give each of them a
command and that you want them to do just what you tell them to
do. Then give each one an order to do something in the room where
you meet. Give them assignments like "sit in the corner," "clap
your hands," "sing a song," "wave your arms in the air," and so
forth. Make sure each child is told to do something.
After they have done this for a while, have them reassemble
and ask them to tell you why they did what you told them to do.
Obviously, you are looking for answers that show that they did
what you told them to do because they respect you and want to
please you. You want to emphasize that they did not do it out of
fear. Nobody believed they would be punished if they didn't do it.
Read the words of Jesus in the Gospel: "If you love me, you
will keep my commandments." Be sure they get the message that we
obey God because we love him and he loves us.
Sunday school assembly opening:
*Post the Ten Commandments or have them written on the
blackboard. Explain to them that these are the commands that God
has given to us. Ask them why they obey these commands. If they
don't come up with an answer that shows they obey them because
they love God, take a specific commandment, such as the second,
and ask them what will happen if we use God's name in vain. Will
God strike us dead? Will our teeth fall out? Lead them to see that
we obey because we love God and we know his rules are good for us.
